Carleton, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Carleton is a small town in Michigan with a population of 2,635. Residents earn $63,826 per year, which is 15% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
2,635 Population 2,662/sq mi density
$63,826 Median Income $31,928 per capita
$177,800 Home Value $314,298 Zillow
$871 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$63,826 median income, 3.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$177,800 home value, $871/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,826
15% lower than US avg
Home Value $177,800
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.7%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $871
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.9%
52% lower than US avg

How Carleton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,635
Median Age38.8 yrs
Density2,662/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,826
Per Capita$31,928
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$129,920M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$177,800
Rent$871
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$314,298

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.0 in/yr
Elevation615 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.7%
High School+88.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 63%
Commute31 min
Libraries57

Is Carleton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carleton receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Carleton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carleton is $63,826, 15% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carleton is $177,800, 37% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $871 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Carleton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Carleton has a population of 2,635 with a density of 2,662 people per square mile. The median age is 38.8 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.2%).

Population

2,635
Total Population
2,662
People / sq mi
38.8yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44%
Female 56%

Race & Ethnicity

Carleton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.6%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.4%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carleton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carleton is $63,826, which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Carleton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,826
15% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,928
Avg Weekly Wage$1,469
IRS Avg AGI$64,888

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.9%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)36,727
County GDP$129,920M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,598
Healthcare4,243
Retail5,675
Manufacturing1,388

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,671
91% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.3 min
Work from Home6.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Carleton is $177,800, 37% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $871 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $314,298.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$177,800
37% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$314,298
Median List Price$224,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$224,000
$/Sq Ft$184
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio97.4%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$871
25% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,671
91% above US avg
Effective Rate3.75%
In Carleton, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Carleton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma12.0%
COPD7.1%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress13.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.8%
Checkup Rate76.2%
Premature Death12,684/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access96.0%
Healthcare Facilities4,243

Crime Rates: Carleton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)201

Safety Score

Carleton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.0 inches
8% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation615 ft (187 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density2,662/sq mi
Coordinates42.0572°N, 83.3898°W
County FIPS26163
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 9.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (71% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 29-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.7%
D 62.7%

Winner: Democrat by 29 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.7%
71% below US avg
High School+88.0%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density2,662/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries57
Healthcare Facilities4,243
Restaurants3,598
Retail Stores5,675

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)201

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.3 min
Work from Home6.8%

Nearby Cities

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